Surrounded by failure, people with manufactured names and identities entertain others.

Downbeat and uplifting, excellent performances, and Mickey Rourke’s sad, battered face, though almost paralyzed by real life (Botox, plastic surgery, boxing?) is the real reason to see this film. The final speech, touted by many as key to the whole film and by extension, Mr. Rourke’s career and resurrection, was actually way too much exposition and totally unnecessary. I recall Michael Stipe saying something once akin to that he wouldn’t mind bagging groceries, because it is a job that someone has to do. That has always stuck with me, every person we encounter in our lives is doing the job that they have, and that someone “has” to do. I have “good job” but it is just a job. I try and do it the best that I can, and always assume that everyone else is also doing the same. Even a waitress who offers up poor service, maybe it is a bad moment in a bad day for her, and what good does it do for me to hurt her livelihood by not tipping well. When I go out to eat, I accept that it will cost me whatever it costs me. We all have good and bad days. In The Wrestler, Robin the deli clerk vs Randy the deli clerk vs Randy the wrestler all perfectly illustrate this reality. But never are we asked to feel sorry for any of the people putting on personas in this movie, instead, we are asked to cheer for them, to encourage them, to applaud them for their dedication to their jobs. If we could all do this more in our day-to-day lives, wouldn’t the world be a better place?

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